“Yaku Otoshi,” an annual event at the Tsurugaoka Hachiman Shrine to drive out evil /Kamakura

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1212130029/

December 14, 2012

A look at bamboo dusters being used to cleanse each part of the temple grounds=Kamakura City's Tsurugaoka Hachiman Shrine

Driving away the year's evil energy and dirt, the annual soot sweeping ritual took place on the 13th at the Tsurugaoka Hachiman Shrine of Yuki No Shita, Kamakura City.

100 temple staff and miko (shrine maidens) participated. Using bamboo dusters, 5 meter bamboo sticks with bamboo grass attached at the end, they wiped off the dirt from everywhere within the temple, including the front of the main shrine and the tower gates.

For the temple, this event held on the 13th is part of their preparations taken to kick off the New Year.

Original text:

鶴岡八幡宮で恒例の厄落とし／鎌倉

2012年12月14日

「すす竹」を使って境内各所の汚れを落とす様子＝鎌倉市の鶴岡八幡宮

一年の厄や穢（けが）れをはらい落とす年末恒例の「すす払い」が１３日、鎌倉市雪ノ下の鶴岡八幡宮で行われた。

神職や巫女（みこ）ら約１００人が参加。長さ約５メートルの竹の先にササの葉を付けた「すす竹」を使って本殿前の楼門など境内各所の汚れを落とした。

この行事は、１３日が新年の準備に取り掛かる「事始め」であることにちなむ。

Members of the US Navy throw a Christmas party at an intellectual disability center/Yokosuka

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1212120015/

December 13, 2012

Dressed up as Santa Claus, a member of U.S. Fleet Activities Yokosuka distributed presents to members of the facility=Nagasawa, Yokosuka City

On the 12th, in Nagasawa, Yokosuka City , soldiers and personnel of U.S. Fleet Activities Yokosuka's Ship Repair Facility held a Christmas party at Shiratori Park, Miura’s Facility for the Intellectually Disabled.

The event originated in 1963, when Ship Repair Facility management visited the center to offer presents. This year marks the 50th occasion of what is now an annual volunteer event. 40 personnel from the base visited.

SRF Captain Michael Ballou spoke at the beginning of the event: "We all thought this would be a great opportunity to celebrate the holidays. Merry Christmas!"

Military staff and their families treated people to Christmas cake. A member of the SRF also appeared dressed as Santa Claus to give out presents. 100 members of the facility enjoyed themselves at the party.

Original text:

障害者施設で米海軍隊員ら主催のＸマスパーティー／横須賀

2012年12月13日

基地関係者がふんしたサンタクロースが施設利用者にプレゼントを配った＝横須賀市長沢

横須賀市長沢の知的障害者施設「三浦しらとり園」で１２日、米海軍横須賀基地の艦船修理廠（しょう）（ＳＲＦ）の隊員や従業員が主催するクリスマスパーティーが開かれた。

１９６３年に当時のＳＲＦ幹部が施設を訪問してプレゼントを贈ったことが発祥で、今回で５０回目を迎えた恒例のボランティア行事。基地からは約４０人が訪れた。

イベント冒頭で、ＳＲＦ司令官のマイケル・バルー大佐が「隊員にとっても皆さんと年末の休暇を祝える好機。メリー・クリスマス」とあいさつした。

隊員や家族らがそろえたクリスマスケーキが振る舞われ、ＳＲＦ関係者がふんしたサンタクロースも登場してプレゼントを配るなどして、施設利用者１００人を楽しませた。

Performing a great deed, Vaala the police dog is awarded a certificate of recognition for assisting in the capture of a suspected thief/Kawasaki

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1212110023/

December, 12, 2012

Having contributed to the apprehension of a young purse-snatcher, police dog Vaala is photographed with Lieutenant Kouichi=Rinkou, Kawasaki police station

Because of her contribution in capturing a purse-snatching teenager, Vaala the police dog was praised on December 11. At the forensics branch of Rinkou, Kawasaki's Police Headquarters, Vaala received not only a certificate of recognition, but also some chicken breast jerky as a bonus. A 7-year old, female German Shepard, Vaala has been working as a police dog for the last 6 years. Said to have the highest level of skill within Kanagawa prefecture, this is now the 35th time Vaala has received an award.

According to the police, a theft occurred around 6:10PM, December 10th on the Ni-Chou-Me Street of Sakuramoto in the Kawasaki Ward of Kawasaki City. A female part-time worker (age 58) riding a bicycle was approached from behind by a male, also on a bike. As he moved ahead of her, he grabbed 5,000 ($60) out of 40,000 yen ($485.00) from a bag located in the front basket of the victim’s bike.

From there, the suspect escaped. In the grounds of a nearby factory, the bicycle was discovered abandoned. Relying on the remaining odor from the bicycle's seat, Vaala began the pursuit. Suspected by police as the thief, the male was discovered hiding in a factory storehouse. The captured suspect is an unemployed 16 year old male who lives in the area.

Accompanying Vaala, Lieutenant Kouichi commented "Vaala was born with a tenacious disposition; (during the search) her partner was nearly out of breath."

Original text:

お手柄警察犬「ヴァーラ号」に感謝状、窃盗容疑者逮捕に貢献／川崎

2012年12月12日

ひったくりの少年逮捕に貢献したヴァーラと内警部補（左）＝川崎臨港署

ひったくりをした少年の逮捕に貢献したとして、川崎臨港署は１１日、県警鑑識課所属の警察犬ヴァーラに表彰状と副賞の「ササミジャーキー」を贈った。ヴァーラは雌７歳のシェパードで、警察犬歴は６年。これまでに３５回の賞を獲得するなど県警でもトップレベルの実力の持ち主という。

同署によると、事件は１０日午後６時１０分ごろ、川崎市川崎区桜本２丁目の路上で発生。自転車で走行中の同区のパート女性（５８）が後方から自転車で近づいてきた男に、前籠に入れてあった現金４万円入りの手提げバッグ（５千円相当）を追い抜きざまにひったくられた。

男はそのまま逃走。近くの工場敷地内に放置されていた自転車が見つかった。ヴァーラはサドルなどに残されていたにおいを手掛かりに追跡を開始。工場内の倉庫に隠れていた男を見つけ、同署は窃盗の疑いで、同区在住の無職少年（１６）を逮捕した。

ヴァーラとコンビを組む内幸一警部補は「ヴァーラは粘り強い性格が持ち味。妻以上に息ぴったりの相棒です」と話していた。